. >> it could not have been mitt romney because the real mitt romney has been running around the country for the last year promising $5 trillion in tax cuts to pay for the wealthy. he said he didn't know about that last night. >> despite the criticism of president obama from fellow democrats, david plouffe who managed the 2008 campaign, reportedly said the mission last night was "not for zingers." we continue with ed henry, live in denver. this was the president's first chance to come out swinging after the debate last night. >>reporter: he did. what is interesting, that runs counter to the narrative the obama camp is trying to put out it was a hollow victory for mitt romney and maybe the president did not take it on the children. to come out swinging as hard as he did at the rally in denver, that suggests he realized he had to make up for missed opportunity and he did not counter punch. the democrats surprised that mitt romney made a comment about tax loopholes and said maybe you need a new accountant to figure out the tax code they were stunned the democrats said the president didn't f